Surface supporting assembly with a supporting network

ABSTRACT

The invention is concerned with means for supporting surfaces used in building construction, for example for supporting ceilings, which means includes a supporting assembly in the form of a composite network of supporting elements. These supporting elements each include at least two parallel, spaced profiled bars which intersect one another and which have recesses, at their mutual points of intersection, by which they can engage and be anchored in one another so as to form a rigid assembly.

United States Patent Henggeler et al.

[ 51 Oct. 3, 1972 154] SURFACE SUPPORTING ASSEMBLY WITH A SUPPORTING NETWORK [72] Inventors: Aldo Henggeler, Matthofring 17,,

Luzem; Oskar Furter, Villa Landenberg, Sarnen; Roland Crottaz, Hergiswil am See; Hans Seghizzi, Meggen, all of Switzerland [73] Assignee: said Henggeler and Furter, by said Crottaz and Seghizzi 221 Filed: March 17, 1970 21 Appl. No.: 20,197

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data March 20, 1969 Switzerland ..4213/69 [52] US. Cl ..52/650, 52/665 [51] Int. Cl. ..E04b 5/ 14 [58] Field of Search ..52/648, 637, 656, 650, 660, 52/633, 664, 686, 666, 299, 665

[56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 2,943,366 7/1960 Sanford ..52/73 3,203,150 8/1965 Semeblad ..52/665 2,284,898 6/1942 Hartmann ..52/650 2,979,169 4/1961 Yalles ..52/650 3,044,586 7/1962 Cassels ..52/668 3,190,208 6/1965 Styne ..52/664 3,265,879 8/1966 Ford ..52/656 3,310,922 3/1967 Hoffmann ..52/664 3,344,571 lO/l967 Day ..52/648 3,461,636 8/1969 Hem ..52/650 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 475,958 7/1951 Canada ..52/650 Primary Examiner-Henry C. Sutherland Attorney-Werner W. Kleeman [57] ABSTRACT The invention is concerned with means for supporting surfaces used in building construction, for example for supporting ceilings, which means includes a supporting assembly in the form of a composite network of supporting elements. These supporting elements each include at least two parallel, spaced profiled bars which intersect one another and which have recesses, at their mutual points of intersection, by which they can engage and be anchored in one another so as to form a rigid assembly.

7 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures PAIENTEDBU 3 1912 SHEET 1 OF 9 mm mm A A 0 #6176654 ER OSKAR Fax 76A Kan/v1 Gmrmz. #ws Jae/0Z2,

INVENTORS 83 MW 60- M,

PATENTED HUT 3 I972 SHEET 2 [IF 9 INVENTORS Wm 54km PATENTEDnma 1912 3,694,987

saw u or 9 I N VENTORS ZMW M PATENTEU N 3 SHEEI 5 OF 9 A AR. 40/904 (394 77/4 1 INVENTORSI BY a/1a AZ PATENTEDnms I972 3,694,961

SHEEI s or 9 me aws INVENTORS ZVMM W M PATENTEB F 3 I97? SHEET 9 BF 9 1Z0 m K R 3mg m m MGMRW Jsdov R mmam m.

SURFACE SUPPORTING ASSEMBLY A SUPPORTING NETWORK The invention relates to a surface supporting assembly with a supporting network.

This surface supporting assembly ischaracterized in that the longitudinal and transverse supporting units each consist of at least two mutually parallel and mutually spaced profiled bars which define recesses at the intersection points for the purpose of effecting mutual engagement.

Two embodiments of the subject matter of the invention are described below with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a portion of a surface supporting assembly,

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line "-11 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line llllll of FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an intersection point,

FIG. 5 is a phantom view of the form of construction of an intersection point in accordance with FIG. 4,

Fig. 6 illustrates a pair of clamps,

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the surface supporting assembly according to FIG. 1, a portion of the supporting network being omitted,

FIG. 8 is a plan view of another embodiment of the surface supporting assembly, and

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line lX-IX of FIG. 8, and

FIGS. 10 to 13 are cross-sectional views of sample forms of cladding or lining used in connection with the surface supporting assembly according to FIGS. 8 and 9.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a corner region of a surface supporting assembly with a supporting network, such as can be used for the base part of a prefabricated structural element which defines a three-dimensional unit, from which buildings can be manufactured which are constructed on the basis of compound frame and a network for fitting in this frame.

The surface supporting assembly is surrounded by a rectangular frame I to the outside of which extend the lines 2, 3 of the adjacent sections (components) of the network envisaged.

In accordance with FIGS. 2 and 3, frame 1 substantially consists of an upper, downwardly open profiled bar 4 and of a lower, upwardly open profiled bar 5. The two profiled bars 4,5 are interconnected by means of outer supporting plates 6 and inner supporting plates 7 and with the interposition of welded seams at the level of the individual supporting bars. U-shaped clamps 8,9 are slipped over the outer supporting plates 6; these clamps 8,9 are welded to the profiled bars 4,5 and will be described in greater detail below. In the corner regions of the surface supporting assembly the profiled bars 4,5 are heldparallel to one another and mutually distanced by means of vertical supports 12.

The supporting network 13 proper is held in position in the frame land substantially consists of supporting units 14,15 which lie in common planes and at right angles to one another. As is apparent from FIGS. 1 and 3, supporting unit 14 comprises 4 mutually parallel U- bars 16 19; each pair of these U-bars lies in a common horizontal plane and the bars are disposed in pairs one above the other. The opening of the U-profile of mutually superposed bars face one another, and the distance between two adjacent bars of the same supporting unit corresponds to at least twice the width of one of the bars alone. Along the frame 1 the supporting units 14 are reduced to two U-profiled bars, one of which lies above the other.

In a similar manner the supporting units 15 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 consist of four mutually parallel profiled bars 20 23 which are arranged in the manner illustrated. The openings of mutually superposed U- profiled bars face away from each other.

The profiled bars 16 23, which constitute the supporting network proper, are welded at their end faces 24 to the enclosing frame, which consists of the U- profile bars 17, 18 and 21,23. Further, the supporting units or organs 14,15 are connected to one another at their mutual intersection point 25.

FIG. 4 illustrates in perspective view an intersection point 25, while FIG. 5 illustrates the arrangement of the individual U-profiled bars 16 23 for the formation of an intersection point 25.

According to FIGS. 4 and 5 the profile bars 18 and 19 comprise, in the region of the point of intersection with the profiled bars 20,21, notches 26 which extend from the open end of the profiled bar concerned approximately two-thirds of the height of the profiled bar. In a similar way the profiled bars 20,21 have notches which extend from their open end approximately along one-third of their length; in each case the width of the notch approximately corresponds to the width of the intersecting profiled bar. According to FIGS. 4 and 5 the U-profile bars 18,19 are now inserted into the bars 20,21 and, similarly, the bars 16,17 are caused to engage into the bars 22,23 which extend perpendicular to them.

Spacer plates 27 lie between the upper bars 18 21 and the lower bars 16,17 and 22,23 and define an opening for the guidance of installation wires or pipes; these spacer plates define a predetermined distance between these upper and lower bars at the point of intersection 25 of the latter. These plates'27 extend perpendicular to the plane of the supporting network and at opposite sides of the supporting element 14 between the U-profile bars 20 23 and comprise lateral recesses for receiving these bars. The portion of the spacer plates 27 located between the mutually superposed bars is inwardly bent towards the intersection point. In order to obtain a favorable balance of the prevalent forces, the inwardly bent regions may be extended perpendicular to the plane of the spacer plate 27 and may be overlappingly connected to one another, so as to thereby reinforce the structure as a whole. The upper and lower side regions of these plates 27 are formed as tabs 28 which lie against the shanks of the bars 17 19 of the other supporting element 15 and snugly engage in the respective notches of the profiled bars 20 23. A weld seam 29 is present between each two tabs 28 lying in a common horizontal plane, this seam holding together the whole joint formed at the intersection point.

The supporting network 13 is removably attached in the frame 1. For this purpose end plates 30 are provided at the end face of the supporting units 14,15; these end plates 30 extend substantially vertically between the mutually superposed bars 16 19 and 20 23 and are screwed at 31 to the upper and lower bars 16,19 and 21,23. The side regions of the end plate 30 extend between the horizontal bars of the inner frame towards the outside and are constituted, at the outside of the inner frame, as flanges 32 which are screwed, by means of screws 33, to the outside frame through the intermediary of the supporting plates 7.

The connecting clamp 8 is diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 6; it comprises an upper flange 34 to which are fixed, with the interposition of respective tabs 36, two webs or strips 37 which extend perpendicularly with respect to the flange 34. The strips 37 pass over, at their other ends and by way of an angledoff portion 38, into a lower flange 35.

The other clamp, the connecting clamp 9, consists of a plate 39 which is bent into a U-shape and whose web 40 defines two mutually parallel slots 42 which are spaced apart by a distance corresponding to the mutual spacing of the strips 37, extend perpendicularly of the flanges 41, and are of a width corresponding to that of the tabs 36. In the case of the lower flange 41 as shown in FIG. 6, the slots 42 widen to the width of the strips 37 and extend into the latter mentioned flange 41 as openings 43 which are of approximately the same width as the thickness of the material of which strips 37 are composed.

The surface supporting assembly illustrated is suitable for the assembly of continuous supporting structures. However, this surface supporting assembly is particularly suitable for the assembly of structures which comprise a composite frame and a compound bar (strip) structure which fits inside this composite frame, such structures being disclosed in detail in Swiss Pat. specification No. 469,152. In this document there is proposed structural elements which, made on an industrial scale, form a three-dimensional unit and are equipped with a rectangular base part on which column-like supporting elements are arranged which bear a roof part which is congruent with the base part; these structural elements are mutually juxtaposed and/or arranged one above the other in stages and are releasably connected to one another.

The present surface supporting assembly is particularly well suited for use as a base part for structural elements of this kind. The supporting assemblies are coupled together for interconnecting the supporting elements, by in the case of two contiguous sides of a frame 1, as illustrated in FIG. 1 providing, on one of the frames and in the region of the end faces of the supporting elements, connecting clamps 8 and, on the other frame and at the appropriate points, connecting clamps 9, so that for effecting assembly a clamp 8 and a clamp 9, which are each attached to surface supporting assemblies which are to be fixed together, lie opposite one another as is illustrated in FIG. 6. The supporting assembly is now raised together with the clamps 9 and is coupled to the other supporting assembly, by inserting the strips 37 into the recesses 43 and lowering both the supporting assembly and the clamps 9 until the upper end faces of strips 37 abut against the'upper flange 41 of clamps 9. Wedges are then driven into the upper end face of slot 42, as a result of which the two surface supporting assemblies are joined together.

In FIG. 7 the surface supporting assembly according to FIGS. 1 5 (this surface supporting assembly being suitable as a base part for the supporting elements referred to) is illustrated as a whole. The U-profile bars 20,22 and 21,23 or 16,19 and 17,18 constitute a compound network or structure for filling out a frame 1 which is itself constituted as a composite network of inter-engaging parts.

For constructional reasons an area 44 is left out in the composite supporting network, this cut-out region running through the centers of the intersection points and along the frame 1; the frame 1 itself remains intact. In this way it is ensured that neither the frame network, nor the compound supporting structure which fills out the frame, will be disturbed by the cut-away region. The overall structure is reinforced by introducing two U-profile bars 45 along the line of the cut-away area, one of these bars lying above the other. By reason of the fact that the bars 20,21 and 18,19 of the supporting units lie at a distance from one another, it is possible to insert the U-profile bars 45 without thereby disturbing the compound supporting network.

This surface supporting assembly, which is particularly suitable for use as a base (floor) network, can be readily subsequently adapted at any time to respond to increased stresses, without the compound structure being thereby disturbed and thus deleterously affected. To this end it is merely necessary to replace the supporting network 13, frame 1 remaining unaltered. I

The fact that the mutually superposed profile bars 17,18 and 16,19 or 20,22 and 21,23 are separately secured in position means that. openings can be provided at the intersection points for guiding installation wires or pipes, without the cross-section of the constituent material of the bars being thereby weakened. Also as a result of the separate attachment of the profile bars, and when openings are present in the supporting network, profile bars 45, constituted as edge supporting elements, can be provided, without it being necessary to alter the manner in which the supporting network assemblies are juxtaposed against one another or the arrangement of the supports.

Indeed, the construction of the supporting units as separate, double supporting elements enables openings to be provided in the supporting network 13 in any desired pattern. A further result of the separate attachment of the individual profile bars is that it is possible, with favorable results, to insert intermediate supporting elements for reinforcement purposes, without thus disturbing the composite supporting network.

The spacer plates 27, constituted as sheet metal plates and located at the said intersection points, enable in a favorable manner a frost-resistant connection to be established between the upper and lower profile bars 18 21 or 16,17 and 22,23 in both supporting directions, as a result of which openings for accommodating installation wires or pipes can be formed without any losses in the material occurring at the manufacturing stage. With similarly favorable results the presence of the sheet metal plates at the said intersection points enables the supporting units to be interconnected with minimal welding work being necessary. In fact, by referring to FIGS. 4, 5 and 7 it will be recognized that the profile bars 16-18 and 20-23 intersect with one another at a joint at which there is formed a so-called joint compartment or opening 100 which is freely open in three directions, namely the lengthwise direction, transverse direction and the vertical direction, i.e., in a direction perpendicular to the transverse and lengthwise directions. Similarly, these intersecting profile bars form between four such joint compartments 100 a larger main compartment or opening 101 which is equally totally accessible or free in three directions as above explained. Hence, by virtue of this free accessibility of both the joint compartments 100 and the main compartments 101 there is afforded unobstructed passage for additional components, such as wires, conduits, etc., in any one or all of these freely accessible directions.

The coupling, resistant to bending, of adjacent surface supporting assemblies this coupling being realized by means of the clamps 8 and 9 enables a rigid connection to be established with the result that the assembly will maintain the required dimensional rigidity; thus, supporting surfaces with a large width span and also bracket structures will be readily possible of realization, with accompanying good results. It may be found of advantage to attach surface supporting assemblies to already existing structures; this does not necessitate the removal of any parts, nor is a large amount of preparatory work necessary to adapt the existing structures to the required modifications.

In addition to use as a base (floor) part of the supporting element disclosed in Swiss Pat. specification No. 469,152, this surface supporting assembly is applicable to any supporting structures employed in conventional building procedures.

Surface supporting assemblies which are subject to relatively small stresses may be constructed in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. As can be seen from these Figures, the separate supporting units 46,47 of the supporting network 49, mounted in the frame 48, simply consist of two bars 50,51 which lie at a distance from one another and lie parallel to one another. These bars are of substantially U-shaped profile, the lower flange or shank being shorter than the upper shank; the webs of these two bars of a single supporting unit lie backing one another.

The bars engage in one another at the intersection points 52 in a similar manner to that already described above. In a similar manner it is also possible, in this embodiment, to arrange for parts of the supporting network to be omitted along the centers of intersection points and/or along the line of the frame 48; again, the overall structure may be strengthened by the provision of a reinforcement assembly along the line of the inter section points defined by the omitted part of the supporting network. In this case also the outer frame 48 remains intact and the supporting networks are undisturbed.

This form of construction is particularly suitable for use as a roof (cover) part of the supporting elements described in Swiss Pat. specification No. 469,152.

FIGS. 10 l3 illustrate, in detailed cross-sectional views, a surface supporting assembly in accordance with FIGS. 8 and 9 and which is used as a ceiling (cover) part of a supporting element of the kind described in the abovementioned Swiss patent specification, this surface supporting assembly being covered off by means of suitable floor cladding or lining elements. In each case two bars 50 of one and the same supporting unit 47 are illustrated.

In accordance with FIG. 10, panels 53 made of asbestos cement are held above panels 53a which are made of an insulating substance and are in approximate alignment with the panels 53; these panels are held in a substantially parallelepipedic metal box 54 which is upwardly open. The vertical side walls of this box 54 are vertically notched in the corners; two opposite side walls 55 only terminate in a horizontal inner shoulder 56, whereas the other two side walls only consist of a vertical panel made of sheet metal. The inner shoulders 56 engage in the lower, shorter horizontal flanges of bars 50 of a supporting unit 47, these flanges themselves terminating in a vertical stop surface. Lying adjacent each side of the box 54 is a further box 57 which is substantially similarly constructed to the box 54, although the surface of a square network of the supporting network 49 is covered over. Two opposite lying side walls of box 57 terminate in horizontal outer shoulders 58 which engage, over the shoulders 56 of two adjacent boxes 54, in the shorter flanges of two mutually superposed bars 50 of two adjacent supporting units 47. Again, an insulating plate 53a and an asbestos cement plate 53 lie in box 57. The whole supporting network is covered over by ceiling elements of this kind.

Dismantling of the boxes 54,57, whose underside forms a visible ceiling cladding or lining, takes place by inserting a screwdriver-like tool between the walls of the box which are formed with shoulders, and by resiliently inwardly pivoting the side wall of a box 57; this operation is possible owing to the provision of the vertical notches. In this way the shoulders 58 are caused to disengage from the shorter flanges, so that the box 57 concerned can be lowered. The inner shoulder of box 54 is now free and can be easily outwardly bent, as a result of which this box can also be removed. Assembly takes place in a similar manner; the boxes 54, which cover off the supporting elements, are first of all inserted and the boxes 57 are then caused to engage in position.

FIG. 1 1 is a detailed cross-sectional view of a plaster ceiling cladding or lining of a composite supporting network. A plaster plate 59 is disposed between two bars 50 of a supporting unit 47, this plate 59 being of reduced profile thickness so as to define a shoulder and engaging between the bars 50. On two opposite sides of plate 59 horizontal, longitudinal slots 60 are formed, into which engage lower flanges of the respective U- shaped, sheet metal elements 61. The upper flange of sheet metal element 61 engages round the short flange of bar 50 and thus forms the support for plate 59. Plaster plates 62 lie adjacent the plate 59 and in effect cover over a component element of a network. The upper region of plate 62 passes over, at two opposite sides, into respective shoulders 63 which lie on the upper flanges of the sheet metal element 61. In order to dismantle the assembly, plate 62 is lifted obliquely towards the inside of the supporting network, 'so that one shoulder 63 lies higher than the other. In this way plate 62 can be obliquely removed from the component element of the network. The profiled sheet metal elements are now free and can be pulled from out of the slots 60 towards the inside of the component element of a network, with the result that plate 59 can be lowered.

Assembly of the ceiling cladding or lining takes place in a similar manner; first of all the plaster plates 59 which cover off the supporting units are inserted into position whereafter the other plates 62 can be introduced by inserting them obliquely into the component elements of the network.

FIG. 12 illustrates another embodiment of a suspension means for suspending plaster plates. A plaster plate 64 lies below the supporting element 47. This plate 64 comprises, at two side surfaces lying remote from one another, respective horizontal slots 65 in which are inserted the corresponding lower flanges of co-operating, U-profile sheet metal elements 66. The upper flange of each profiled sheet metal element 66 is caused to engage in the lower, short flange of bar 50 of the respective supporting unit 47, thus providing a means of suspending the plaster plate 64. Above the upper flange of each new profile sheet metal element 66 lies a flange, pointing away from the adjacent plaster plate, of a Z-profiled sheet metal element 68. The other flange of each sheet metal element 68 is inserted into a horizontal notch 69, which notches are each formed of one of two side surfaces, lying remote from one another, of a plaster plate 67; the other two side surfaces are, as in the case of the plaster plate 64, free of any suspension means.

Dismantling an assembly of plates 67 takes place in the same manner as in the case of dismantling and assembly of boxes 57 shown in FIG. in this respect the plates 64 are handled in a similar way to that in which plates 59, illustrated in FIG. 11, are handled.

Finally, FIG. 13 illustrates the installation -'of a lamp 70, whose base surface is in substantial alignment with the surface of a component element of a composite supporting network. Lamp 70 comprises a parallepipedic housing 71 whose underside is open. Fixed by means of screws 73 to each of two opposite lying side surfaces is a flange of a Z-profile sheet metal element 72. The webs of the sheet metal elements 72 extend out of the housing 71, the other flange of sheet metal elements 72 being downwardly directed. The latter mentioned flanges each engage, at opposite sides of housing 71, in the shorter flange of two bars 50 which face one another and belong to adjacent supporting units 47; their flanges thus support the lamp 70 in the supporting network. Electrical installations 74 are accommodated in the housing 71. Two mutually parallel side walls of housing 71 terminate in a horizontal flange 76, to which a respective U-profile bar 75 is attached. A glass box 77, which covers off the interior of housing 71, is fixed to this bar 75. As illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, plaster plates 64,67 lie horizontally adjacent to the glass box 77.

In addition to these examples of possible practical application, the latter-mentioned surface supporting assemblies can also be used for equivalent purposes in buildings of conventional construction; the same advantages will then acrue, in the case of this surface supporting assembly, as have been described above in connection with the base (floor) supporting means.

We claim:

1. In a prefabricated surface support capable of distributing loads in any direction, a three-dimensional structural assembly comprising:

a first grid-like coplanar network,

a first multiplicity of paired profiled members in spaced, coplanar relationship, each of said paired members comprising parallel spaced members, the distance between adjacent paired members being greater than the distance between members forming each of said pairs,

a second multiplicity of paired profiled members substantially identical to said first members disposed in coplanar, secured intersecting relationship with said first paired members,

a second grid-like coplanar network substantially identical to said first network, in spaced parallel relationship to said first network, said paired members of said first network being aligned with the corresponding paired members of said second network; and

spacer means rigidly connecting said first and second network, in spaced parallel relationship in order to form a plurality of smaller joint openings and main openings between said first and second network;

said smaller openings being unobstructed throughout the length, width and depth of the three dimensional assembly.

2. The assembly of claim 1 including frame means secured to the terminal ends of said paired profiled members.

3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said spacer means include weldable members secured to one pair of intersecting members of said first network with the aligned intersecting members of said second network.

4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said profiled members are each provided at the respective regions of intersection with cooperating recess means for receiving in interfitting fashion a second profiled member.

5. A joint in a prefabricated surface support capable of distributing loads in any direction, a three-dimensional structural assembly comprising:

a first grid-like coplanar network,

a first pair of profiled members in spaced, coplanar relationship, each of said paired members comprising parallel spaced members,

a second pair of profiled members substantially identical to said first members disposed in coplanar, secured intersecting relationship with said first paired members,

a second grid-like coplanar network substantially identical to said first network, in spaced parallel relationship to said first network, said paired members of said first network being aligned with the corresponding paired members of said second network; and

spacer means rigidly connecting said first and second network, in spaced parallel relationship forming a joint opening between said first and second network which is unobstructed throughout the length, width and depth of the three dimensional assembly.

6. The joint of claim 5 including frame means secured to the terminal portions of said profiled members.

7. The joint of claim 5 wherein said spacer elements comprise a weldable body portion with tab means extending outwardly therefrom for maintaining said first and second networks in predetermined spaced relationship prior to welding. 

1. In a prefabricated surface support capable of distributing loads in any direction, a three-dimensional structural assembly comprising: a first grid-like coplanar network, a first multiplicity of paired profiled members in spaced, coplanar relationship, each of said paired members comprising parallel spaced members, the distance between adjacent paired members being greater than the distance between members forming each of said pairs, a second multiplicity of paired profiled members substantially identical to said first members disposed in coplanar, secured intersecting relationship with said first paired members, a second grid-like coplanar network substantially identical to said first network, in spaced parallel relationship to said first network, said paired members of said first network being aligned with the corresponding paired members of said second network; and spacer means rigidly connecting said first and second network, in spaced parallel relationship in order to form a plurality of smaller joint openings and main openings between said first and second network; said smaller openings being unobstructed throughout the length, width and depth of the three dimensional assembly.
 2. The assembly of claim 1 including frame means secured to the terminal ends of said paired profiled members.
 3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said spacer means include weldable members secured to one pair of intersecting members of said first network with the aligned intersecting members of said second network.
 4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said profiled members are each provided at the respective regions of intersection with cooperating recess means for receiving in interfitting fashion a second profiled member.
 5. A joint in a prefabricated surface support capable of distributing loads in any direction, a three-dimensional structural assembly comprising: a first grid-like coplanar network, a first pair of profiled members in spaced, coplanar relationship, each of said paired members comprising parallel spaced members, a second pair of profiled members substantially identical to said first members disposed in coplanar, secured intersecting relationship with said first paired members, a second grid-like coplanar network substantially identical to said first network, in spaced parallel relationship to said first network, said paired members of said first network being aligned with the corresponding paired members of said second network; and spacer means rigidly connecting said first and second network, in spaced parallel relationship forming a joint opening between said first and second network which is unobstructed throughout the length, width and depth of the three dimensional assembly.
 6. The joint of claim 5 including frame means secured to the terminal portions of said profiled members.
 7. The joint of claim 5 wherein said spacer elements comprise a weldable body portion with tab means extending outwardly therefrom for maintaining said first and second networks in predetermined spaced relationship prior to welding. 